Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut

County Distress Index: Elevated · 52.0 | 279,634 people · 2nd most distressed in Connecticut
American Default Research

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Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region, CT registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 52.0 — 1457th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Connecticut, it ranks 2nd of 9 counties. Its strongest area is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are below the national average.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 81.7 — worse than roughly 82% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 81.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 84
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 74
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 95
Homeownership Rate 83
Economic Vitality 77.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 85
Rent-to-Income Ratio 89
Business Formation Rate 70
House Price Change (YoY) 16
Structural Poverty 46.6
Unemployment Rate 58
Poverty Rate 41
Income vs. State Median 72
Child Poverty Rate 43
Disability Rate 36
Transfer Income Dependency 29
Consumer Credit Distress 41.8
Debt in Collections 44
Medical Debt 22
Auto Loan Delinquency 34
Credit Card Delinquency 58
Uninsured Rate 12
Subprime Credit Population 56
Legal Distress 6.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 6

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region
Buncombe County, NC 52.0 Elevated +0.0
Sedgwick County, KS 52.2 Elevated +0.2
Kalamazoo County, MI 52.2 Elevated +0.2
Madison County, AL 52.3 Elevated +0.3
Chesterfield County, VA 51.3 Elevated -0.6

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region as a CSV file.

Find Help in Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region

Find an Attorney

Connecticut Bar Association — Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Connecticut Bar Association — Lawyer Referral Service 860-223-4400

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region residents at no cost.

Connecticut Legal Services (CLS) 1-800-453-3320 (statewide intake)
Greater Hartford Legal Aid 860-541-5000
New Haven Legal Assistance Association (NHLAA) 203-946-4811
Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut 1-800-453-3320

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut?

    Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region has a County Distress Index score of 52.0 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,457th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 2nd in Connecticut out of 9 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region?

    The primary driver of distress in Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 81.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region compare to neighboring counties?

    Neighbor comparison data is not available for Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region.

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Elevated zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region's score of 52.0 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

  • What data sources power Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region's CDI score?

    Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region?

    Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut has a population of approximately 279,634 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.